Microsoft yesterday released a new updated Bing Maps app for Windows 8.1 with many new features. Bing Maps app now features Windows Phone like Local Scout feature that helps you find local information around you with ease.

The new version includes improvements that give you personalized recommendations, makes finding local information quicker and easier, helps you make the choices and even helps with tasks like restaurant reservations.

From Bing blog,

Quick local category search

Window’s Phone Local Scout makes it quick and easy to search for the most important categories and get personalized picks. We’ve brought that capability to Windows, so you can do a local category search with one click for the most common categories like eat and drink, shopping, parking and banks. Explore what’s around you now, or explore where you’re going. You can also tailor the search to your needs, for example to only find restaurants that specialize in cuisines that you prefer.

Personalized picks for you

In addition to general local category search, you can also receive personalized recommendations by signing into your Facebook account and clicking ‘Picks for you’ at the bottom of the category list. This useful feature will deliver general recommendations based on what your friends like, check-ins and other social signals.

Microsoft’s CVP Gurdeep Singh Pall announced during keynote at BUILD that 3D Maps imagery is coming to Bing Maps in Windows 8.1. Microsoft has captured imagery using its own camera for this 3D Maps feature. It will launch with about 100 cities at first and with the ability for developers to integrate this imagery in their app.